The Great Awakening, a significant religious revival movement that swept through colonial America in the 18th century, had a profound impact on American society. This movement emphasized individual faith, emotional engagement in religion, and decentralized forms of worship. Prominent figures like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards sparked widespread enthusiasm and led to increased church participation across different denominations. The Great Awakening nurtured a spirit of questioning authority, contributing to greater religious tolerance and laying the groundwork for the development of American evangelicalism. Additionally, it fostered a sense of shared identity among colonists, fueling democratic sentiments that would eventually influence the American Revolution.